Project Description
This project was designed to explore and assess the extent to which China’s diplomatic effort, development activity and economic investment towards Pacific island nations supports Pacific interests, with a specific focus on the collective Pacific ambition for global action on climate change.
There is no question that China has stepped up its engagement in the Pacific in a bid to build influence in the region over the past ten to fifteen years. Much of the literature addressing Chinese activity in the Pacific is focused on China’s interests, means and motivations, or the response of other powers (such as the US and Australia) to those diplomatic activities. There is a gap when it comes to examining Chinese activity from a Pacific perspective. We have inverted this focus by exploring whether and how China engages with Pacific officials and priorities on climate action.
Our research examines how this issue plays out in four target countries and at the regional level.
The target countries are: Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Our research objectives were to
• locate China’s engagement in the Pacific islands climate change discourse;
• explore Pacific perspectives about China’s engagement with that discourse;
• contribute to broader scholarship on climate diplomacy.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Pacific policy makers
Pacific climate activists and civil society
Pacific scholars and those whose research is focused on/in the Pacific
Outcomes to Date
Project report published as a working paper in the “Regional Outlook” series hosted by the Griffith Asia Institute
Project Significance
It adds to knowledge and understanding as to how Pacific island countries and regional decision-making bodies are engaging with international partners in relation to climate change – mitigation, adaptation (including access to climate finance), and disaster readiness/response.